According to reports, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry hosted a family party for their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday at Frogmore Cottage. They wanted a very special gift to celebrate the occasion. A source shared that many ideas were discussed for the one-year-old’s birthday present, with a “£75 pink Volkswagen Beetle ride-on toy” being a popular option.
Zara and Mike Tindall’s three children, Mia, eight, Lena, three, and Lucas, one; Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly’s daughters Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10; along with many of their royal second cousins attended the informal garden party with balloons, cake, and party games.
Relaxed party
A source told The Sun that the atmosphere was relaxed and that it was a chance for Lilibet to get to know the family better on her first trip to the UK. They stated, “It was a lovely do and had everything you’d expect from a child’s birthday party. The idea was for it to be very relaxed and casual, with people free to pop in and out as they wished.” Tom Van Straubenzee, Princess Charlotte’s godfather, and his brother Charlie, who is the godfather of Lilibet’s brother Archie, were also on the guest list.
Meghan and Harry did not attend many of the celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last weekend, and they flew back to America before the festivities concluded. They attended a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. However, they reportedly watched Saturday night’s Platinum Party on the TV at home with the Queen in Windsor. The Daily Mail stated that the couple was also seen through a window at the Trooping of the Colour, but they did not step out into the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the working royals.
First public appearance
The celebrations marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first public appearance with the Firm since shifting to the US two years ago when they quit their responsibilities as full-time royals. Publicly, neither Archie nor Lilibet were seen during the festivities. The royal family kept a relatively low profile during the celebrations, except for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were cheered by the public when they arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Sussexes are believed to have taken their children to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle soon after they arrived in England. Speculation has been rife that the Queen canceled her appearances at the Epsom Derby and Party at the Palace earlier this month, reportedly due to mobility issues, and to meet the Sussexes.